Here I shall introduce you to some Japanese ingredients.
Sushi vinegar and Rice vinegar
Sushi vinegar (left) is a type of flavored vinegar that is used for making sushi. It has sweet and umami flavors.
If you do not have sushi vinegar, you can make your own at home by mixing rice vinegar (or any other vinegar without a strong aroma) with salt, sugar, and konbu kelp. (See here for recipe.)
If you do not have konbu kelp, simply mix the vinegar, salt, and sugar, and you will get a similar flavor. (See here for recipe.)
Rice vinegar (right) is one of the most widely used condiments in Japanese home cooking.
If you cannot get hold of any rice vinegar, you can substitute it for any type of vinegar that does not have a strong aroma.
Konbu kelp
Konbu kelp is a type of seaweed that is commonly eaten in East Asia.
In Japan, dried konbu kelp is used to make stock for cooking dishes.
Red Shiso
Red Shiso is called akajiso in Japan.It is often used for coloring umeboshi (English: pickled plum). The shiso leaf turns bright red when it reacts with the umezu, the vinegary brine that wells up from the plums after being pickled in their vats.
